COVID-19 cases surge in DMV as summer heats up

COVID cases are currently at a high level in Virginia while Maryland and DC are seeing very high levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Local health officials said increases are notable in home testing, hospital visits and wastewater data.

“As we look at all of these trends, we’ve seen an increase in COVID cases lately,” said Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis. “Even without data, I think we’re hearing more and more from friends, family, and people who are in the community, even from the president, that people are getting COVID.”

As COVID surges this summer, health officials want people to keep things in perspective.

“In the context of last summer, the increase in cases that we are seeing is consistent with what we saw last summer and is not as high as what we saw during the winter,” said Brittani Saafir-Callaway of the DC Department of Health.

Experts believe the heat may have something to do with the rise in COVID cases.

“It’s not surprising that we’re seeing this increase,” Davis said. “Every summer, we’ve seen a slight increase in COVID. It may be happening a little earlier, but we think it could be due to people going back inside because it’s very hot and people are inside or bumping into each other.”

Davis said she wouldn’t be surprised by another increase as school starts, as was the case last year.

“What’s reassuring is that we’re seeing an increase in cases, but not a worsening of the disease,” Davis said. “Many people are already protected from COVID, whether it’s from the vaccines they’ve received or from COVID. We’re seeing a similar trend to previous years: the people most likely to end up in the hospital or die, unfortunately, from COVID are those who are unvaccinated or who have multiple illnesses.”

“It’s important for people to know that COVID-19 is still here, to get vaccinated, to wash their hands, to get tested if they’re not feeling well and to be aware of what’s going on,” Saafir-Callaway said.